[Sylvilagus Aquaticus]

Some of this makes sense, considering it is a 'combat/hostile environment', but where do they draw the line with it... for that matter, what pinhead over on this side of the world is going to think it makes sense for the gander also?

So much for considering it the 51st state, I guess.
Regards,
Rabbit.

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/21/international/worldspecial/21DISA.html?ex=1054094400&en=bedbde438a3299e8&ei=5062&partner=GOOGLE

Allies to Begin Seizing Weapons From Most Iraqis
By MICHAEL R. GORDON


BAGHDAD, May 20 — Iraqi citizens will be required to turn over automatic weapons and heavy weapons under a proclamation that allied authorities plan to issue this week, allied officials said today.

The aim of the proclamation is to help stabilize Iraq by confiscating the huge supply of AK-47's, machine guns, rocket-propelled grenades and other weapons that are used by criminal gangs, paramilitary groups and remnants of the Saddam Hussein government.

Iraqis who refuse to comply with the edict will be subject to arrest. Only Iraqis authorized to use military-type weapons because of their police or military duties will be exempt.

"We are in the final stages of formulating a weapons policy to put rules on who can and cannot possess a weapon," Lt. Gen. David D. McKiernan, the chief allied land commander said in an interview. "We want to get explosives and AK's out of the wrong hands."

The weapons proclamation, which is to be issued by L. Paul Bremer III, the chief allied administrator for Iraq, and General McKiernan, is part of a broader effort to improve security in Baghdad and other Iraqi cities.

3 pages in article, continued at link.


Regards,
Rabbit.

[Zip06]

We are going to need another 100,000 soldiers to guard the prisoners in the massive pens that will have to be constructed to hold those who have weapons.

[Cosmoline]

we will be seeing some very selective enforcement of this rule. Otherwise, as pointed out above, most of the adult males in the country are going to have to be locked away.

But hey, at least we're not going after the SMLE's

[benEzra]

This is wrong, wrong, wrong. The same problems with gun control over here apply over there--disarming every single Iraqi family in the country of their home defense rifle(s) won't take the rifles (and RPGs) out of the hands of the Fedayeen Saddam or the criminals that are terrorizing the populace. On the contrary, it allows the criminals to terrorize the populace with even greater impunity.

I supported the war, but I do NOT support confiscating home-defense arms from ordinary Iraqi citizens in the name of "freeing" them.

[Gordon Fink]

You expected anything different?

~G. Fink

[BLiTzNicK]

I supported the war, but I do NOT support confiscating home-defense arms from ordinary Iraqi citizens in the name of "freeing" them.

Taken from the article:

"Iraqis who are in the military, the police or an authorized security organization supervised by the allies will be authorized to carry automatic or heavy weapons. But other Iraqis will not be allowed to possess [these types of] weapons, and open-air arms markets, common in Baghdad, will be banned.

Iraqis will be allowed to keep small arms at home for protection. "

Do you know of any other country in the entire world who would allow citizens of a defeated, occupied country access to arms? I think it says a lot about our country when we allow these citizens to keep firearms in their homes, especially when we are at war with some in their country!